When do autistic traits become autism

Hello! Yes it's just how I was feeling for a very long time and I needed an explanation for it really, I went for it and I got diagnosed it took months and months but at least I now have an explanation as to why I react to certain things, rather than blaming myself for being a ' drama ' queen :) 

Hi Mark, according to that score you are 'at risk' of ASD. You could print these off and take them to your GP? If you do that, they can refer you for a diagnosis, and you'll probably have to fill out the same questionnaires again. Then wait ages for an assessment. I'm still on the NHS waiting list myself, but I recently had the opportunity to have a free private assessment, after which I was diagnosed.

To answer your original question, I think that the 'triad of impairments' is a reasonably good marker actually. A diagnosis gives a pathway to treatment options, so if you feel you need treatment of any sort, go for it. If you think you can continue to muddle along, then don't bother. I felt it necessary for myself, because I'm in the middle of a stressful phd. Then I'll be back to being unemployed (again), so I wanted to get this stuff sorted before I take the plunge.  

As the social interaction problems are the biggest and long standing, ie before signs of mental illness , I would say ASD. I think the mental health problems were triggered by bullying at public school.

I appreciate your honesty.

That is all quite serious stuff and the meds in 75 weren't the friendliest either

I've got a mother with severe psychiatric issues, they don't know what to do with her at the moment. You kind of get used to it.

Do you think it is more ASD or more schizophrenia? Or does it depend on some kind of cycle?

I was never told a dx at first. I was nearly 17 and at public school. They put me on anafranil. In 1975 I was admitted for the first time and was given a dx of schizophrenia. Dx has changed a few times over the last 43 years. It seems to be swinging back again to the original  ie latest pdoc said schizophrenia + ASD were the best fits.

What did they diagnose you with in 73 if I may ask, Former Member?

Sunflower said:

persistent difficulties in social interaction

Yes

Sunflower said:

problems in obtaining or sustaining employment or education

Never worked.

Sunflower said:

difficulties in initiating or sustaining social relationships

Less than a handful of friends in 61 years. No current friends.

Sunflower said:

previous or current contact with mental health or learning disability services

Under mental health services since late 1973.

This is one of the things ive encountered when discussing with my partner potential ASC in myself. "I do that too". Ive said it doesnt help to compare each other.

Blank i think you are right when you say it depends how much it affects you. I think for me its the anxiety. But having self-diagnosed im suddenly more comfortable in myself and have strategies for trying to minimise my stress. Im learning to become more assertive since ive identified how passive i am. Im not sure if i want to go throughwith a diagnosis. I dont know where the line is between ASC and supposedly NT. I find it difficult to relate to some of the information on ASC as i work have friends and socialise. However bare in mind how much anxiety ive had from these. Now from reading i can see why.

Mark i have a small number of friends too. Not really a group but dotted around. I read about intorversion and extroversion before id heard of ASC but felt neither could explain me.

For me, i keep coming back to the fact i think i have it. This tends to be when under stress. On reflection I would even say researching it has been an obsession altho it doesnt feel like it. 

Thank you

I'm definitely an introvert.

Yes, I'm thinking that with a diagnosis people would be more accepting and I could explain myself better.

You could well be making more of this than it is. Unfortunately that is also a typical ASD trait... hyperfocus...

But it is as some here have said: when it starts bothering you, you could look into it. 

Or you could always try to let it go and focus on something else. 

It is really you who decides.

Thanks fairybellsxo

What you have said rings true with me.

You went for the diagnosis then

Yes. I'm pretty certain that is very similar to what I scored when I took it before my diagnosis. I wrote down all the reasons I thought I might be autistic before I decided I wanted to be diagnosed. I was slightly shocked with how long the list ended up being if I'm honest.

Thanks for getting back to me.

I would fit most of the criteria above.

I just want people to accept me for the way I am and maybe a diagnosis would help with that. I wouldn't need to keep apologising for the things I do.

Thanks for getting back to me.

I've done the aq test a few times and scored between 38 and 40 out of 50.  I think that's quite high if I'm not mistaken.

Some of my behaviours do bother me and have done so for some time. Also other people comment from time to time about the things I do or don't do when I should.

I've always worked but sometimes feel I haven't achieved what I could have. 

I'm socially awkward and my group of close friends is quite small I'd say. 

Am I making more of this than it actually is.

I would take a guess that it is when the traits are in all areas needed for the autism spectrum. In my assessment they looked at 4 areas - social interaction, social communication, sensory and rigid/inflexible thought. For a diagnosis I had to have difficulties in each of these areas. I think it might also depend on how much impact the traits have on you.

The online aq test can be a good indicator as to whether to seek an assessment.

I'm in the same boat at the moment. Having been reading up on Autism over the last few years I relate to so much traits, I'm pretty sure I am on the spectrum even without an official diagnosis. I haven't really spoke about it to my wife as it doesn't really affect my life, but it does make it more difficult and draining. I was just reading an article on introverts and extroverts and I'm definitely the introvert. Spending time with too many people drains my energy to a point I need to walk away and re-charge.

I'm starting to think that if my diagnosis was official, friends and certain family members would accept my odd behaviour and personality and I would probably feel more relaxed about social situations as I could just be myself.

Hello :) 

It may be that you have traits, I think my turning point for it was being fed up with reacting different to other people, being sensitive, and feeling like Im nothing like anybody id ever met. If you feel your quirks are affecting your life to a point where your being down on yourself, perhaps its time for a diognosis OR perhaps your just curious :) 

During the feedback session of my own ASD diagnosis, my husband kept on saying 'oh, I have that too, eh I mist have ASD as well?'. Her reply was that most people night have some symptoms or traits, but not everyone is bothered by them. Then there is no issue.

My husband has a job, functions well etc. It doesn't affect him, nor is he bothered in everyday life.

So what about you?

Hi Mark,

it really depends on you - do you feel an assessment is needed? Many autistic people seek assessment because they are experiencing difficulties in their lives. 

Here is an extract from the NICE guidance stating when ASD (autism spectrum disorders) assessments should be carried out under the NHS: 

'Identification and initial assessment of possible autism

1.2.2Consider assessment for possible autism when a person has:

one or more of the following:

persistent difficulties in social interaction

persistent difficulties in social communication

stereotypic (rigid and repetitive) behaviours, resistance to change or restricted interests,

and

one or more of the following:

problems in obtaining or sustaining employment or education

difficulties in initiating or sustaining social relationships

previous or current contact with mental health or learning disability services

a history of a neurodevelopmental condition (including learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or mental disorder.'

It is a personal choice whether or not to seek diagnosis - there are advantages and disadvantages either way.

I had wondered if I might be autistic for some time, but had not taken any action. 

When my difficulties became intense it was an easy decision to get assessed. 

Hope this is helpful.